Cover image of Mainzelmännchen Michael Kramer, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Isn’t it nice how the little things can make you so happy? One distinctly German cartoon that brought me endless delight was the Mainzelmännchen! These little animated men on German TV would come on during the commercials in quick animated spots that just made us LAUGH. Over…
Category: German Products I Love
Products that remind me of “home”
What is a Tante Emma Laden? A Corner Store with a Special History
By Foto: Martina Nolte, Lizenz: Creative Commons by-sa-3.0 de, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Link A Tante Emma Laden holds a very important place in my life. My first memory is of tumbling down the steps leading to my family’s Tante Emma Laden. (This had nothing to do with the store and everything to do with the fact that I needed…
Traditional German Games Kids and their Omas like to Play!
My family played loads of traditional German Games while I was growing up. Games like Mensch Ärgere Dich Nicht, Mühle, Schwarzer Peter and Quartet. My Oma was part of a Doppelkopf group, and Dad loved Skat. We would play Stadt Land Fluß in the car to pass the time. Today, Board Games are undergoing a Renaissance of sorts. Newer, better,…
German Hand Blown Glass Ornaments-Delicate Christmas Gems on Your Tree
My heart broke a little bit last night when I heard the crash… a glass VW Bug ornament slipped from my hand and shattered on the wooden floor. I know, I know, they are only things… but some things have so much more value… both in emotional attachment and dollar signs. Luckily, it wasn’t one of the vintage German Hand-Blown…
How is the German Chancellor Elected?
The German election system may be confusing for people who live outside Germany. Just how is the German Chancellor elected? I will do my best to explain concisely and help you understand how their system works. For the record, I am not endorsing any German political party; this is just an informational article to help people get a handle on a…
Federweisser- All you Need to Know About this VERY Young Wine
When people think about traveling to Germany in the Fall, they often think Oktoberfest. BUT, the country has so much more to offer besides this well-known attractions! For example, Federweisser. What is Federweisser? It’s an alcoholic drink only available during the months of September and October. This is a real autumnal tradition for many Germans, particularly in the wine-growing regions…
German School Cones- Schultüte for the First Day of School
The Schultüte, German School cone, tradition goes back to the early 1800s in Germany. Leaving the childhood comforts of Kindergarten and moving on to “real school” can be a tough transition. So, on their first day of school when entering the first grade, children traditionally receive a cone-shaped bag, sometimes called a “Zuckertüte” (sugar bag), filled with treats and…
History of Hummel Figurines -Collecting German Hummel Figurines
Many people associate Germany with Hummel Figurines and presume that most Germans would collect them. While I was growing up, my mother always had just one Hummel Figurine displayed in her Living Room Schrank, a little girl walking with a basket. She told me her aunt gave it to her when she left Germany, so it had a special meaning.…
Haribo Gummi Bears- All About Haribo Candy, and Where to Buy It!
The other day a friend of mine mentioned that she had gone to 4 different stores searching for her favorite flavor of Haribo candy. WHY? You can easily get Haribo Candy Online! There are loads of flavors, including her favorites, available…. and, better yet… You can even get the REAL GERMAN Haribo, not just the American versions. YUM!! Check out…
Haba For Easter- German Toys and Games for the Easter Basket!
HABA Animal Upon Animal – Classic Wooden Stacking Game Fun for the Whole Family (Made in Germany) While I never say no to a nice Chocolate Bunny, I love tucking things into the Easter Basket that last a little longer. A stuffed toy, book or game last a lot longer than colored eggs… and will keep the kids happy and…